| MARRIAGE LICENSES
This office only issues marriage licenses if both parties are at least 18 years of age. If either party is under 18, click Marriage Licenses Under 18 Requirements Each person must present one form of valid photo identification with proof of age. To expedite the identification process, it is recommended that both parties bring a certified copy of their birth certificate. Witness Requirement 1. You will not need a witness to purchase a marriage license. If either party has been granted a divorce or filed a “Termination of Domestic Partnership” within 90 days of applying for a new marriage license, a copy of the final divorce decree or termination documents must be presented at the time of issue. The Name Equality Act of 2007 (AB102, Chapter 567, Statutes of 2007) gives specific rights to parties at the time they are applying for a California marriage license to choose and list on the marriage license the new name that each party will go by after marriage. Please refer to the Name Equality Act. A blood test is not required. There is no residency requirement in California. Your marriage license is effective immediately and valid for 90 days anywhere within the state of California. Once you have your marriage license the ceremony can be performed at the church of your choice, a wedding chapel, or a civil ceremony may be performed by this office. After the ceremony, the license must be returned to our office for recording. Certified copies may be purchased one week after the license is returned to our office. Fees The fee for a public marriage license is $50.00. The fee for a confidential marriage license is $55.00 If you need to speak with a Marriage Section staff member, call (619) 531-6248. MARRIAGE LICENSES UNDER 18 This section contains information on how to obtain a marriage license if either party is under 18 years of age. You must go through Juvenile Court and comply with the requirements set by them. The address and phone number is: Juvenile Court Both parties must then make an appointment by calling (619) 237-0502 and appear together in our office and have the following requirements: If either party has been granted a divorce or filed a “Termination of Domestic Partnership” within 90 days of applying for a new marriage license, a copy of the final divorce decree or “Termination of Domestic Partnership” documents must be presented at the time of issue. Bring all of the requirements to the Clerk of the Court at the Juvenile Court. The Clerk will review the material and present it to a judge for his or her signature before a marriage license can be issued. If you have further questions, please call our office at (619) 531-6248. CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSES To obtain a Confidential Marriage License, both the couple must make an appointment by calling (619) 237-0502 and appear together at one of our office locations. Each person must present one form of valid photo identification with proof of age. To expedite the identification process, it is recommended that the couple bring certified copies of their birth certificates. If either party has been granted a divorce or a “Termination of Domestic Partnership” within 90 days, a divorce decree or “Termination of Domestic Partnership” document must be presented at the time of issue. In order to issue a Confidential Marriage License: The marriage record will be maintained as Confidential and ONLY the couple named on the record may obtain copies of the marriage certificate, EXCEPT by order of the Superior Court. The cost of a Confidential Marriage License is $55.00. Click here for an application. PLEASE NOTE: The office of the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk issues Public marriage licenses or Confidential licenses when the confidentiality of the marriage date is important. Couples who choose the Confidential License should be aware that when certified copies of the Confidential Marriage License are requested, the copies can ONLY be issued to the couple with proper identification. Once you have your marriage license the ceremony may be performed at the church of your choice, a wedding chapel, or a Civil ceremony may be performed by this office. MARRIAGE LICENSE & CEREMONY APPOINTMENTS An appointment is required to obtain a marriage license and/or civil ceremony. * Appointment line hours are from 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. * To schedule an appointment for our Downtown, San Marcos and El Cajon offices, please call (619)237-0502. * Walk–in marriage license services are not available. Couples must have an appointment. HOURS/OFFICE LOCATIONS County Administration Center San Marcos El Cajon To obtain a marriage license, both the bride and groom must appear together at one of the following office locations:
Marriage licenses are valid throughout the State of California, except Confidential licenses that must be obtained in the county in which the wedding is performed. These apply to those 18 years or older only. |
||||||||||||||||||||



